Meredith McDaniel - In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to Gods Provision in a Land of Longing

I hear people often talk about feeling lost, like theyre in a desert, or perceiving manna in the midst of broken seasons. But what does that mean? And how do we connect our heads, our hearts, and our souls with our seasons? Im thankful for the careful shepherding of Meredith McDaniel. Im thankful this book is in the kingdom, and I know you will be too.

Jess Connolly , Bible teacher and author of You Are the Girl for the Job

Meredith McDaniel, in writing her first book, has accomplished more than I was prepared for. In an effort to free us from the race we are all running, she focuses part of her work on the biblical understanding of divinely supplied spiritual nourishment that we as Christians call manna. Gods faithfulness is unexpected but consistent, and Ive not read anyone in a long time who explains that with such simple depth.

Suzanne Stabile , author of The Path Between Us ; coauthor of The Road Back to You

With honesty and depth, Meredith invites us all to stop ignoring the pain of living in a broken world. She walks with us as we look directly into the depths of that pain in order to see Gods hand already at work in the narrative of our lives. Without sugarcoating any of the brokenness, she offers hopepure and powerful hope! Gods love is bursting through the darkness! As you read, you may find yourself trading in your yearning for the next quick fix for something more real and more satisfying. If you are looking for a light and fun read, look elsewhere. But if you are looking for something that is authentic, nourishing, and redemptiveyou are right where you need to be.

Ellie Holcomb , Dove Awardwinning singer-songwriter

The hunger for more seems to be part of the human condition. With the insightful care of a counselor, Meredith guides us to the answer our spirits desperately want to believethat God is providing just what we need. In Want + Plenty invites you to come alive to the kind works of God in your everyday.

Hayley Morgan , author of Preach to Yourself ; coauthor of Wild and Free and Always Enough, Never Too Much

Mining your own story is difficult, life-changing work, and Merediths guidance through that process is gentle of spirit and fierce in truth.

Kendra Adachi , author of The Lazy Genius Way

In Want + Plenty is a hauntingly beautiful and creative book offering priceless hope and reassurance to those of us who want more and are desperately searching to find it. Merediths engaging style felt like we were having a conversation and reawakened me to patterns of fear and anxiety that occur in my life when losses and disappointments dim my view of Gods impressive strength, unfathomable wisdom, and endless love. In Want + Plenty is a house of gold; read it slowly and let it guide you to its treasures.

Fil Anderson , author of Running on Empty ; coauthor of Blind Spots: What You Don t See Can Hurt You

In Want + Plenty is a book that will touch the deep recesses of your heart, where you get thirsty and hungry for truth that nourishes and for our great God to meet you. This book can take you there. McDaniel courageously explores this territory, and you can follow on the path with her as your trusted guide. I recommend you grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and enjoy!

Paula Rinehart , author of Strong Women, Soft Hearts ; coauthor of And Yet Undaunted: Embraced by the Goodness of God in the Chaos of Life

I dont believe Meredith McDaniel has ever been afraid to go deep, and this book is no exception. In Want + Plenty walks us humbly alongside an entire nation discovering and forgetting and rediscovering the sometimes uncomfortable but rich truths of Gods provision, encouraging us to see with new eyes the gifts lying in wait all around us. Even in the hard stuff. Especially in the hard stuff. And its beautiful. Quite true to herself, McDaniel acknowledges the ache is real while not allowing the reader to forget that the manna is real too... even if it doesnt look quite like we thought it would!

Matt Glass , singer-songwriter; worship and arts director, Lake Forest Davidson Church

If you feel like you are walking alone in the desert (and even if you dont), let Meredith point you to the Creator who longs to be your guide. Sit down with her and embark on a treasure hunt for Gods manna in your life. You will be glad you did!

Deric Milligan , cofounder and CEO, Inheritance of Hope

I was struck by how eloquently Meredith peeled back the layers of my heart through Scripture and storytelling. Using her profession as a counselor, she weaves vulnerability with profound questions to draw the reader into deeper knowledge of self and God. If you are craving intimacy with Christ and others, these pages will whisper wisdom into your soul.

Anjuli Paschall , author of Stay: Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness Where You Never Imagined Looking ; founder of The Moms We Love Club

In Want + Plenty insists on providing hospitable space to explore and ask questions of God, ourselves, and each other. As a leader in the local church, Im aware of the need for honest and healthy conversations around traditionally private matters like longing and discontentment, and I believe addressing that need is critical to the welfare of our personal and corporate relationships with God. Meredith McDaniel gives ample opportunity to delve deeper, listen longer, and trust more fully. What a generous gift to us!

Greg LaFollette , artist and spiritual director; director of arts and liturgy, Grace Story Church, Nashville, Tennessee

We all know that our world is full of hurting people. What we may be hesitant to admit is that those of us who file into churches each weekend also carry brokenness that can be soul crushing, leaving us numb and disillusioned. Meredith writes like a good friend speaking to you over coffee and saying, Its OK to not be OK! As you read In Want + Plenty , suddenly you find yourself believing that God desperately wants more for us, and that he is standing before us offering healing and real life. Oh friend, Meredith offers hope and freedom in these pages!

Holly Worsley , community builder and gospel storyteller